Bravo for printing Mike Royko’s article in which he laid bare the recent efforts to cover up the true figures on “partial birth abortions.” Numbers were falsified, and certain pro-choice factions claimed this was a seldom-used procedure.

There was also some confusion; the bill passed by Congress allowed exceptions for the life of the mother. President Clinton and others wanted this changed to exceptions for the ‘health’ of the mother.

Yet ‘health’ is so broadly interpreted that this would virtually allow for almost any use of the procedure.

Furthermore, as Congress sought to ban the practice except for cases involving the life of the mother and that the effort to ban this practice as motivated by ulterior motives — banning all abortion. But, as one woman quoted by Royko suggests, the pro-choice forces may have had their own hidden agenda — the removal of all restrictions to abortion.

What we need in this whole debate about abortion is a little more honesty, a little civility and a lot more real care for both the women facing problem pregnancies and the lives they bear.

As one who is pro-life, I suggest that we must find ways to support pregnant women, not only through volunteer efforts like Birthright and the Nurturing Network which assist pregnant women. We need governmental efforts to support pregnant women who are impoverished, not punishing them if they happen to have another child.

But more than all this we need to work toward a society that truly cares for pregnant women, mothers and children — where society provides the needed emotional, material and spiritual assistance where life is welcomed.

The Catholic church seeks to be part of this solution — as we oppose abortion but also work for the well-being of the least among us.

We hope others will join us in these efforts.

John Donaghy

Campus Minister

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

& Catholic Student Center